Bill Shielding Pesticide Manufacturers From Liabilities Continues Progress Through Tennessee General Assembly

Image Credit: TN General Assembly

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

HB0809/SB0527, designed to limit liability for pesticide companies in tort cases involving injury to consumers is continuing to make significant progress in the General Assembly. 

Carried by Rep. Rusty Grills (R-Newbern-District 77) and Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntingdon-District 24), the legislation provides that a manufacturer or seller would not be liable in a civil action “related to the labeling of the pesticide, including a products liability action alleging a failure to warn under title 29, chapter 28, if the pesticide bore a label approved by the EPA under FIFRA at the time of sale.”

Several organizations, including Stand For Health Freedom Tennessee (SHF) have strongly opposed the bill, citing grave concerns of risks to public health as the chemicals enter the food supply and calling on lawmakers to instead help farmers come into alignment with President Trump’s pledge to, “get toxins out of our environment, poisons out of our food supply, and keep our children healthy and strong,” during his Joint Address to Congress. 

SHF has also revealed that though the bill would protect all pesticide manufactures, the legislation was brought to the Assembly by Bayer, the German pharmaceutical and chemical company, which has threatened to withdraw their glyphosate products from the market should states not pass a shield bill. 

The SHF opposition also provides several documents and studies showing links between glyphosate and increased cancer risks, amongst other health concerns, and how Bayer and the EPA have conspired to keep cancer warning labels off the products. 

They also cite this legislation as a violation of the Seventh Amendment, which preserves the right of a jury trial in civil cases, and Article 1, Sections 6 & 17 of the Tennessee Constitution, which also codify the right to jury trials and the right of every person to a remedy for injuries to their lands, goods, person, or reputation administered without sale, denial, or delay.

Apparently, Tennessee is not the only state being targeted by the chemical industry as Missouri and Georgia passed shield bills this year while Iowa’s version is making progress, passing the Senate and moving to the House, though it failed last year. Montana is the only state thus far which has killed this type of bill this session, as it never cleared the House and missed the deadline for general bill transmittal, according to The Center Square. 

SB0527 has already cleared all Tennessee Senate committees and awaits a vote before the full Senate while HB0809 is scheduled for the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, 4/2.

To contact your Senator regarding the bill, use this tool: Find My Legislator

Members of the House Judiciary Committee can be contacted using this information:

HB0809/SB0527 Summary: As introduced, specifies that a manufacturer or seller of a pesticide registered with the commissioner of agriculture and with the environmental protection agency under the federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is not liable in a civil action related to the labeling of the pesticide, if the pesticide bore a label approved by the EPA under FIFRA at the time of sale. – Amends TCA Title 43, Chapter 8.

Rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov, rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov, rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov, rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov, rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.powers@capitol.tn.gov, rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rick.scarbrough@capitol.tn.gov, rep.tom.stinnett@capitol.tn.gov, rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov

Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.